Cultivator

ABSTRACT

A CULTIVATOR FOR CULTIVATING SEVERAL CROP ROWS SIMULTANEOUSLY HAVING A TOOL BAR SUPPORTED FOR EARTH TRAVERSING MOVEMENT IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL; AND A PLURALITY OF CULTIVATING UNITS INDIVIDUAL TO THE CROP ROWS MOUNTED ON THE TOOL BAR, EACH UNIT HAVING A FORWARDLY DISPOSED MOUNTING SHAFT MOUNTED ON THE TOOL BAR, A PLURALITY OF DISK BLADES ADJUSTABLY POSITIONABLE ON EACH SHAFT FOR CULTIVATION ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CROP ROW, EACH UNIT HAVING REARWARDLY DISPOSED FREELY ROTATABLE CULTIVATING WHEELS OBLIQUE TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL FOR CULTIVATION IN THE CROP ROW, A SWEEP DISPOSED FORWARDLY OF THE DISK BLADES, AND A HARROW DISPOSED REARWARDLY OF THE CULTIVATING WHEELS TO EXERT A COOPERATIVE EFFECT ON THE EARTH ALONG SAID ROWS AND BETWEEN PLANTS IN THE ROWS.

United States Patent 1191 Carlucci Mar. 12, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 225,070

US. Cl 172/149, 172/158, 172/177,

Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino Attorney, Agent, or FirmHuebner &Wor'rel [5 7] ABSTRACT A cultivator for cultivating several crop rowssimultaneously having a tool bar supported for earth travers- [52] ingmovement in a predetermined direction of travel; 1 172/184 and aplurality of cultivating units individual to the [51 Int. Cl A01b 49/02crop rows mounted on the tool bar, each unit having a [58] Field ofSearch 172/143, 145-149, forwardly disposed mounting shaft mounted onthe 172/155, 158, 160, 175, 177, 184, 197, 198, tool bar, a plurality ofdisk blades adjustably position- 579, 596, 678, 180, 543, 556 able oneach shaft for cultivation on opposite sides of their respective croprow, each unit having rearwardly [56] References Cited disposed freelyrotatable cultivating wheels oblique to UNITED STATES PATENTS thedirection of travel for cultivation in the crop row, 3,314,486 4/19 67Remy 172/543 a sweep disposed forwardly of the disk blades and a1,084,478 H1914 Peterson 172/l84 X harrow disposed rearwardly of thecultivating wheels 3,217,813 11/1965 Koemel 172/177 to exert aCooperative effect On the earth along Said 3,082,829 3/1963 Buddingh etal...; 172/149 X rows and between plants in the rows.

2,994,387 8/1961 Lehman et al 172/177 X 129,712 7/1872 Bussell 172/184 x1 Claim, 16 Drawmg guns /0 v 90 61 60 \l //0 8) 9/7] 1 7 I02 1/ 0 /72 mH8 a A m n A /04 1E2 //8 g I?! IR L 127 4/ 45 PATENTEB "All I 2 I974 saw1 ur 5 PATENTED IIAR I 2 I874 3, 796 269 sum 3 or 6 SHEET 6 OF 6PATENIEBIAR 12 m CULTIVATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a cultivator and more particularly to such acultivator which facilitates the weeding and soil mulching of row cropsso as to maintain such crops in the optimum growing condition.

A major problem in the raising of row crops such as sugar beets, cotton,and the like is the simultaneous growth of weeds in and adjacent to therows. Such plant life competes with the crop for nutrients and waterfrom the soil so as to limit crop growth. Consequently, it is thepreferred practice in the raising'of such crops to remove weeds andother undesirable plant growth in and adjacent to the rows particularlyduring the most rapid periods of crop growth.

The most effective method for removing such unwanted plant growth hasbeen by manual labor. Crews of laborers have been sent through thefields selectively to remove weeds adjacent to the plants withoutdamaging the plants. However, as the expense of such manual weedingoperations has increased, it has become common practice to utilizecultivators of a variety of types to accomplish such weeding. All suchcultivators in the past have suffered from common failings. They havenot removed nearly all of the detrimental plant growth. They frequentlyhave damaged the crop plants by abrading or uprooting the plants or bydamaging the fruit growing on the plants. Furthermore, such mechanicalcultivators have not been readily adjustable so as to permit weeding ona periodic basis to accommodate crop growth.

Therefore, it has long been recognized asdesirable to provide animproved cultivator which is fully adjustable to weed a variety of typesand sizes of row crops, to remove a substantially greater percentage ofweed growth throughout the growing season than conventionallyattainable, and to do so while minimizing injury to the crops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide a cultivator which facilitates the weeding of rowcrops from planting through maturity.

Another object is to provide such a cultivator which is readilyadjustable for the weeding of a wide variety of types and sizes of rowcrops.

Another object is to provide such a cultivator which weeds both adjacentto and in the row crop during passage thereover.

Another object is to provide such a cultivator which simultaneouslyweeds several crop rows in one passage.

A further object is to provide such a cultivator which is convenientlyattachable to a conventional agricultural means of conveyance.

A still further object is to provide such a cultivator which has supportand guide means to facilitate earth traversing movement over severalcrop rows achieving partial ground support in the furrows between therows.

Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in a device for the purposes described which isdependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of thecultivator of the pres ent invention showing it mounted on a tractor forearth traversing movement over several crop rows.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, transverse vertical section taken on line 2-2of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a forwardportion of a cultivating unit of the cultivator of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal vertical section taken on line 5-5of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of a station ina cultivating unit having rotary cultivating wheels mounted therein.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of a rotarycultivating wheel.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat further enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of aportion of a cultivating wheel showing the mounting for a spring tooth.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary vertical section of a harrowtaken on line 10-10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 1 is a somewhat further enlarged, fragmentary perspective view ofa portion of the adjustment mechanism of the harrow.

FIG. 12 is a somewhat enlarged, longitudinal vertical section taken online 12-12 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a somewhat further enlarged, fragmentary' perspective view ofa portion of the adjustment mechanism of the harrow.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a runner of the cultivator.

FIG. 15 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary transverse vertical sectiontaken on line 15-15 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 16-16 of FIG.15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particulary tothe drawings, FIG. 1 shows a cultivator of the present invention,generally indicated by the numeral 10. The cultivator is shown in FIG. Imounted for earth traversing movement behind a tractor 11 having rearwheels 12. The cultivator may be supported on the tractor by anysuitable means but is shown in the drawings mounted on a conventionalthree-point hitch 13. The hitch consists essentially of three rearwardlyextending pivot arms 14 with a pair of conventional power arms 15operably interconnecting the tractor and two of the pivot arms forlifting the cultivator.

The cultivator has a rigid metal sled frame 20. The frame has a verticalcentral support member 21 which is connected to the distal end of thecentral pivot arm 14 by a pivotal mount 22. The frame further provides apair of vertically standing lateral support members 23 disposed inspaced parallel relation to the central support member mounted at thedistal ends of the outlying pivot arms by a pivotal mount 24. A tool bar25 having opposite ends 26 horizontally interconnects the central andlateral support members and oppositely laterally extends beyond thelateral support members, as best shown in FIG. 1. As is well known, thetool bar 25 is transversely of square configuration and for convenienceis subsequently referred to as the angular tool bar. A tubular tool bar27 having opposite ends 28 horizontally interconnects the central andlateral support members in spaced parallel relation to the angular toolbar at a position thcrebelow and extends laterally beyond the lateralsupport members, best shown in FIG. 2. The tool bars 25 and 27 aremounted on the support members 21 and 23 by vertically adjustable Uclamps 29.

Outwardly of the lateral support members 23 on the tool bars 25 and 27are individually'provided a pair of runner mounts 39 secured in positionby U-clamps 40, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 14. An angular runner frame41 is secured, as by welding, to each of the runner mounts and extendsrearwardly therefrom. Each runner frame has a runner 42 secured thereon,also as by welding, and is adapted for sliding ground engagement. Anangle iron 43, having opposite ends 44, interconnects the runner framesrearwardly thereof in spaced parallel relation to the tool bars 25 and27, as

'best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The angle iron is mounted in position onthe runner frames by U-clamps 45.

Twelve mounting brackets 50 are mounted on the tool bar 27, as bywelding, and extend downwardly therefrom. The brackets are secured inspaced relation in two groups of six on opposite sides of support member21, as best shown in FIG. 2. A pair of mounting bars 51 are individuallysecured on the downwardly extending ends of the mounting brackets onopposite sides of the support member and extending between the oppositeends 28 of the tool bar 27 and the support member 21, as best shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 15. Four channel bars 52 are weldably mounted on thedownwardly extending ends of the mounting brackets adjacent to theopposite ends 28 and the support member 21 and extend rearwardly inspaced parallel relation therefrom, as best shown in FIG. 1. The channelbars are secured to angle iron 43 by U-clamps 53.

A guide wheel assembly 60 is mounted on the opposite ends 26 and 28 ofthe tool bars 25 and 27 by U- clamps 61, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Each guide wheel assembly is provided with a frustum shaped guide wheel62 facing inwardly and adapted for rotational ground engagement about anaxis transverse tothe direction of travel.

Four cultivating units 70 are mounted in the sled frame in parallelside-by-side relation. Two of the cultivating units are provided in theframe inwardly of the runners 42 and two cultivating units areindividually provided outwardly of the runners adjacent to the oppositeends 28 of tool bar 27, as best shown in FIG. 1. The sled frame divideseach of the cultivating units into work stations. A forward work station71 is provided between the tractor l1 and tool bars 25 and 27. A centralwork station 72 is provided between the tool bars and the angle iron 43.A rearward work station 73 is provided rearwardly of the angle iron.

A pair of studs extend forwardly from the mounting bar 51 in the forwardwork station of each cultivating unit 70. A disk assembly 81 is mountedon the studs as best shown in FIG. 4. Each disk assembly includes a diskframe 82 which is mounted and vertically adjustable on the studs. Eachdisk frame has an arched plate 83, opposite sides 84, and a V-shapedforward portion A pair of bearings are individually mounted in the sides84 of each disk frame 82 defining an axis parallel to the tool bars 25and 27. A shaft 91 having threaded portions 92 adjacent to its distalends is rotationally received in the bearings. The shaft has twosegments 93 defining a gap 94'which is near one of the sides 84 of thedisk frame, as best shown in FIG. 4. A pair of collars 95 areindividually received on the opposite threaded portions of the shaft toretain the shaft in rotational position in each disk frame.

A pair of sleeves are received about the shaft 91 adjacent the sides 84of each disk frame 82, one sleeve being in covering relation to the gap94 of the shaft, as best shown in FIG. 4, The sleeve in coveringrelation to the gap is weldably secured to the segment 93 of the shaftadjacent to the opposite side of the disk frame and I adjustablyfastened by a nut. 101 to the other segment of the shaft so as'to rotatewith the shaft. The other sleeve is weldably secured at both of its endsto the shaft so as also to rotate with the shaft. A plurality of flatdisk blades 102 are mounted in spaced relation on each of the sleevesand releasably held in fixed position thereon by lock collars 103received about the opposite ends of the sleeves. A toothed drive disk104 is mounted in fixed relation about each of the sleeves and ispreferably of a greater diameterthan the disk blades for driving groundengagement; 7

A pair of sweeps or wings 1 10 are mounted on the V- shaped forwardportion 85 of each disk frame 82 and are adjustable both vertically andhorizontally. A V- shaped raking member 111 having ground engagingspring teeth 112 extending therebelow is mounted on the V-shaped forwardportion of each disk frame and extends forwardly therefrom, as bestshown in FIG. 4.

A pair of wheel pivot arms 118 are pivotally mounted on the tubular toolbar 27 in the central work station 72 of each cultivating unit 70. Eachpivot arm is maintained in pivotal position on the tool bar by a pair ofstop collars 119 secured in position on the bar by screws 120, as bestshown in FIG. 2. The pivot arms extend rearwardly from tool bar 27 ineach central work station and are of different lengths, as best shown inFIG. 6. The pivot arms have mounting assemblies 121 at the distal endsthereof extending substantially normal to the arms, also as best shownin FIG. 6. A pairof cultivating wheels 122 are individually mounted onthe pivot arms oblique to the direction of travel and divergent withrespect to each other within their respective work station. Eachcultivating wheel has a plurality of spring teeth 123 disposed about itsperiphery and extended radially therefrom for ground engagement.

A pair of spring arms 124 having guide rings 125 at the distal endsthereof are mounted by U-clamps 126 on the angular tool bar 25 in eachcentral work station individually above and in vertical alignment withthe pivot arms 118. The spring arms are somewhat shorter than theircorresponding pivot arms. A pair of rods 127 are individually, pivotallyconnected to the pivot arms of each cultivating unit 70 adjacent to themounting assemblies 121 and extend upwardly through the guide rings ofthe spring arms. A pair of collars 128 are adjustably positionable oneach of the rods in spaced relation on opposite sides of the guide ring,as best shown in FIG. 7. A pair of compression springs 129 arepositioned about the rod between the guide ring and each of the collars.Each of the cultivating wheels is thus adjustably suspended fortensioned ground engagement.

Spring tooth harrows 135 are provided in the rearward work station 73 ofadjacent pairs of cultivating units 70 on opposite sides of the sledframe 20, as best shown in FIG. 1. Each harrow extends in the rearwardwork station between adjacent channel bars 52 of the frame. Each harrowincludes a plurality of bearings 136 mounted in aligned relation in therearward work station on the channel bars 52 rearwardly of the angleiron 43. A plurality of tool bars 137 are rotationally received inparallel relation in the bearings of each harrow. A pair of sleeves 138are rotationally mounted on each of the tool bars in predeterminedspaced relation in longitudinal alignment with the point of groundengagement of the cultivating wheels 122 of each cultivating unit. Apair of collars 139 are individually fastened on the tool bar 137 onopposite sides of each sleeve to retain the sleeve in position on thetool bar. Several spring teeth 140 are secured on each of the sleevesfor ground engagement. A plurality of spring teeth 141 are fastened onthe tool bars 137 on opposite sides of the sleeves 138 and also areadapted for ground engagement.

A lever assembly 150 is mounted in operable associa tion with thealigned sleeves 138 in the rearward work station 73 of each cultivatingunit 70, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 10. Each lever assembly includes alinkage 151 individually connected to each sleeve and a ratchet 152operably associated therewith. A lever arm 153 is mounted on the leverassembly and includesa spring pawl 154 which is operableseleetively toengage the ratchet in the conventional manner, as best shown in FIG. 10.A second lever assembly 160 is mounted on each of the harrows 135centrally of the tool bars 137, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 12. Theassembly 160 includes a linkage 161 individually connected to each ofthe tool bars of the harrow and having a ratchet 162 in operableassociation therewith. A lever arm 163 of a somewhat greater length thanthe lever arm 153 of lever assembly 150 is mounted on the linkage andprovides a spring pawl 164 which is operable in the conventional mannerselectively to engage the ratchet 162. It will be noted that the leverassemblies l50 and 160 are operable individually to position the springteeth 140 and 141.

OPERATION The operation of the described embodiment of the subjectinvention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarizedat this point. The cultivator is designed for the simultaneouscultivation of four crop rows 170, separated in the conventionalarrangement by furrows 171 and including individual plants 172. It

will be seen that the cultivator is adjustable for the performance ofcultivating operations in row crops through the full growth cycle. Thisincludes, if desired, the period immediately after planting and beforethe plants have broken through the soil.

The cultivator 10 is mounted on the three-point hitch 13 of the tractor11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The dirt wings 110 of each cultivatingunit are adjustable both vertically and horizontally. Each of the diskassemblies 81 is vertically adjustable on the studs thereby permittingadjustment of the elevation of the disk blades 102 and the raking member111. The sleeves and their associated disk blades are adjustable towardor away from each other as permitted by the gap 94 between the segments93. To adjust the sleeves, the nut 101 and the collars 95 are loosenedto permit the segments of the shaft 91, and consequently the attachedsleeves, to be repositioned with respect to each other and centeredwithin the disk frame 82. Tightening of the nut and collars thereafterfirmly secures the sleeves and associateddisk blades in the readjustedpositions.

Adjustment of the collars 128 of eachv rod 127 permits tensionedvertical repositioning of each cultivating wheel 122, as best shown inFIG. 7. Adjustment of the lever assemblies and utilizing lever arms 153and 163, respectively, permits individual adjustment of the depth ofpenetration of the spring teeth 140 and 141 of each spring tooth harrow135. Adjustment of the depth of penetration of the raking member 111,the cultivating wheels, and the spring teeth 140 is regulated inaccordance with the size of the plants 172 of each crop row since theseelements cultivate in the row itself. The depth of penetration selectedfor the disk blades 102 and the spring teeth 141 can be greater than theabove elements since they cultivate immediately adjacent to the croprows rather than in the rows themselves.

After such selected adjustment of the cultivator 10, the tractor 11 isoperated to raise the power arms 15 and associated pivot arms 14 so asto lift the cultivator out of ground engagement for movement to the areadesired to be cultivated. The tractor is then operated to carry thecultivator to a position in which the runners 42 and guide wheels 62 arepositioned directly above the furrows 171 between the crop rows 170.With the cultivator so positioned, the raking member 111, thecultivating wheels 122, and the spring teeth 140 of each cultivatingunit 70 are in precise alignment with their respective crop row. Thetractor is then operated to lower the cultivator so that the runners andguide wheels are in ground engagement, as shown in FIG. 2.

The tractor 11 is operated in the conventional manner to draw thecultivator 10 in earth traversing movement along the crop rows 170, asbest shown in FIG. 1. During such earth traversing movement, the springteeth 1 12 of the raking member 111 of each cultivating unit 70 operateto sweep dirt clods, rocks, and other debris from the crop row andoutwardly against the dirt wings 110. The wings subsequently transferthis unwanted material into the furrows 171. The drive disk 104 of eachset of disk blades 102 engages the ground and motivates the disk bladesto slice and loosen the soil immediately adjacent to and on oppositesides of each crop row. The cultivating wheels 122 engage the ground ineach crop row to cultivate unwanted plant growth therefrom. ln theconventional manner, the diagonal positioning of each cultivating wheeland the engagement of its spring teeth 123 with the ground causes thecultivating wheels to be rotated as earth traversing movement iscontinued. Such rotation causes the unwanted plant growth to be rakedfrom the crop row into the furrows on the opposite sides of each croprow.

The spring teeth 140 of the sleeves 138 are drawn through each crop row170 and operate further to cultivate the soil between the plants 172.Controlled adjustment of the lever assembly 150 permits the spring teeth140 to be drawn out of ground engagement and, if need be, fullyretracted so as to avoid any contact with the plants in the crop row inorder to avoid damage thereto. The spring teeth 141 of the tool bars 137are independently adjustable by lever assembly 160 to position thespring teeth in engagement with the soil on opposite sides of the croprow so as further to loosen and smooth the soil. The frustum shape ofthe guide wheels 62 and the positioning of the runners 42 insures thatthe cultivator 10 is easy to direct along the crop .rows and can easilybe maintained in the precise attitude for optimum cultivating of thecrop rows.

As the row crop grows and becomes taller, and in order to allowcultivation of a variety of types of row crops, the cultivator 10 isfully adjustable as described in order to permit the optimum type anddepth of cultivation in and immediately adjacent to each crop row 170.Furthermore, the utilization of four individual cultivating units 70permits one tractor to cultivate four crop rows simultaneously. Finally,it will be seen that since the cultivating units are substantiallyseparate and distinct, it is possible to adjust the cultivating unitsseparately. This allows simultaneous cultivation of alternating rows ofdifferent row crops or of row crops of different stages of development.Therefore, the cultivator of the present invention is fully adjustableto weed and cultivate a variety of types and sizes of row crops toremove a substantially greater percentage of unwanted plant growth thanhas heretofore been possible throughout the growing season whileminimizing injury to the crop.

The utility of the present invention may be specifically exemplified byreference to the growing of cotton. When the cotton seed is planted, itis the practice somewhat to ridge the row to keep the seed from dryingout and to cause the row to shed water. As soon as the seed hasgerminated, usually in four or five days, the tool of the presentinvention is utilized to mulch the soil along the row and between plantsin the row to minimize crusting, to minimize weed germination and growthand to reduce evaporation. The tool is used at frequent intervals, asneeded.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative detailsdisclosed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A cultivator, adapted for cultivation along a plurality of crop rowscomprising a tool bar supported for earth traversing movement in apredetermined direction of travel; a plurality of cultivating unitsmounted on the tool bar, each unit having a forwardly disposed mountingshaft mounted on the tool bar; a plurality of disk blades adjustablypositionable on each shaft for cultivation on opposite sides of eachcrop row, each unit having rearwardly disposed mounting arms mounted onthe tool bar; a cultivating wheel rotatably mounted on each arm obliqueto the direction of travel and adapted for cultivating ground engagementin the crop row between the paths of travel of the disk bladespositioned on opposite sides of the crop row; and side directionalsweeping means extended from the tool bar forwardly of the disk blades,said sweeping means including ground engaging raking teeth.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,796,259 Dated March 12, 1974- Invento James J. Carlucca.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 17, after "work" and before "73 delete "station" andinsert -'--stations--.

Signed and Sealed this, 18th day of June 197 SEAL) Attest: I

EUdARD M.FLEI'GHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner'of Pcte'nts USCQMM'DC 376 P69 ".5. GOVERNMENT PRIN ING OFFICE "I!0-Si-884.

FORM PO-I 050 (10-69)

